Garddner digs in for medal haul (From Stroud News and Journal)

Garddner digs in for medal haul

SKIER Phil Gardner recently returned triumphant from the Welsh Alpine Championships in Norway.

Phil, a 15-year-old student at Archway School, won three gold and two silver medals in the slalom and giant slalom events held at Oppdal last month.

Phil's combined results brought the overall title of Welsh Alpine Champion.

Phil has been racing since he was six and trains with Team Slalom Plus at the Gloucester slope, coached by Chantelle Goddard Jones.

Phil is registered with the Ski Council of Wales and won selection to the Welsh Alpine squad this summer after excellent results in national and grand prix meetings on plastic slopes throughout the year.

Slalom is Phil's favoured discipline, the most technical of Alpine events. Junior skiers compete in structured age groups, but Phil's performance in slalom was good enough to beat competitors in all the groups.

For now it's back to training with Team Slalom Plus where Phil's 16-year-old sister Suzi is an assistant coach, having retired from racing three years earlier.

Phil's next racing events are in the French Alps at Easter, the English and British Championships.